In Focus: Fired-up Tavernier targets Rangers response

James Tavernier's attacking numbers are worthy of a top-class forward. 

The full-back has already scored four goals in just seven appearances for Rangers this season. 

Ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby, we take a closer look at the Gers' prolific skipper.

Goal variety

The only bright spot of Rangers' 5-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven this week was the latest goal from Tavernier. 

It was his third of the Champions League qualifying rounds after he scored in both legs against Servette. 

Tavernier also found the net in the 2-0 win against Ross County last weekend and the variety of those strikes demonstrates the threat that he carries from deep.

Against the Swiss outfit, he converted a penalty before heading home from close range in the return fixture. 

The 31-year-old then scored a spectacular solo effort against Ross County, driving forward from within his own half and curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area. 

On Wednesday, he slid in at the far post to stab home his goal against PSV.

He has a knack for ghosting into dangerous areas, which — allied to his ability from set-pieces — makes him a constant threat. 

Incredible numbers

It looks likely to be another prolific season from Tavernier, who is just as much a creator as he is a goalscorer. 

The right-back scored 18 times last season and assisted nine more. In 2021-22, he found the net on 18 occasions and assisted 17. 

His most prolific campaign came in 2020-21 when he hit 19 goals and 15 assists from just 46 appearances.

In total, his 409 games for Rangers have seen him rack up over 200 goal contributions. These are incredible attacking returns from a full-back. 

Yet Tavernier is not without critics at Ibrox, with the captain's leadership skills and defensive ability having been questioned by some fans. 

What is clear is that the benefits that the Englishman brings to Rangers, far outweigh any negatives. 

Any full-back that regularly gets into the sort of attacking positions that Tavernier finds himself in is going to suffer defensively. 

It is up to manager Michael Beale to balance the side and make the most of his goal threat while ensuring that his lung-busting runs are covered. 

Rallying call

After the Champions League defeat to PSV, which saw Rangers drop down into the Europa League, Tavernier issued a rallying call ahead of the Old Firm clash with Celtic. 

He said: "It is hard to take, personally, but we can't dwell on it. We obviously know how much this game means at the weekend. 

"We have to really brush this off as quickly as possible, get into the training ground and get back working hard and put a performance on at the weekend that our fans really can be proud of. 

"We've got to win at the weekend because you go into the international break and then you're waiting two weeks for the next game. We really have to put in a performance. 

"Any game round the corner after a defeat is always a good way of answering what you did wrong. It's the perfect game to go into."

A fired-up Tavernier will be a huge asset for Rangers as they look to bounce back and earn the bragging rights in Glasgow.